Dec 31, 2009

2009 had been a year full of pleasant surprises. Primarily because unexpected events took place, new people came into my life and I am so happy that all this happened :)Looking back, I feel satisfied to a great extent on professional level. Personal level, I am on a high!No resolutions this year as last year's remain unfinished on the chart. However, I must go to to gym regularly...ummmm let'see what happens!Wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2010 :) And may my India grow and peace prevail in the world....

Dec 8, 2009

Today, I am feeling out of place. My colleagues are all 30 plus. I never felt this way for all these months. Today something happened and I realised that despite same kind of work we do, same kind of talks we share, yet there is some unspoken, unsaid weird disparity.

The interns I had under me belonged to my age group. Though I had to really push them to work & get the job done, at the same time, it was sometimes fun to work with them.

I miss my company.

Not that my colleagues have different mindset or something...its just that my thoughts and their thoughts do not gel that easily on certain issues.

We all have different perspectives, I agree and no two minds are alike. But at a particular level, it 's hard to communicate and channel gets disturbed.

Arguments are bound to happen but the at least chain should continue and the work should not get affected. Take any field, any sector..communication flow has to be right.

I am thinking of new possibilities & new ways to avoid contradictory things in my department. Hopefully, this works :)

Nov 28, 2009

We live in a world where "freedom" this word is so misused and over used.

There was a time when freedom was the most sought after concept, it was a belief, a reason to live for and die for.....our revolutionaries and freedom fighters laid down their lives for the service of their motherland...to set her free from the shackles of British Raj.

After 63 years of independence, "freedom", has been reduced to a mere term. A term which is synonymous to doing anything with a free license!

It is the same old story. We are making an ad...an ad for a PSU...which has following connotations:

a. this ad will be entirely different from what we have proposed

b. this ad will be sent to media 15 minutes after the deadline gets over

c. this ad will undergo many cosmetic changes

d. whatever amount of heart and soul we put for this one page color ad, people are not going to read it beyond the headline.

e. this ad will only be seen next time when similar PSU will come up with a similar activity

Anyway, this is bound to happen. What a sorry state of affair!

It is not that I criticize this eventual outcome..it's just that it hurts to see how the spirit of free writing is curbed to an extent when a copywriter is told to change the entire thing with no justification except this lame phrase - this is not acceptable...Please someone tell these bureaucrats that what is acceptable to them is totally unacceptable to all of us.

We send them the ad and we wait for hours to get an OK. Because this OK comes from several routes, several WOM happens and the message is twisted to an extent that it looks like a banner and not an ad anymore!

I am not condemning anyone, nor do I want to label anyone in particular...but when we need fast and quick actions, these people crawl under their seats. It is our job to see how creative and well written and appropriate text is flowing with correct visuals etc.

Again correct is a relative term as our definition hardly matches with their. IAS officers andother senior level officials all knowledgeable and capable enough to understand the nitty-gritty of the matter....

But even these people are not to be blamed. It is their way of "corporate-aspirational-living"!

Decisions need to be quick, fast and without two minds. Only then results can be obtained. Otherwise time just blows off under our nose and we keep staring blank faces.

Today is just a similar day. We are waiting for an approval from a very top notch person in Government. Sounds so exclusive....but believe me all that shine does not glitter!

Hmmphhhh...

I am posting a blog on my PC and holding a pen and a paper and a phone by my side, ironical isn't it?

Oct 29, 2009

A thought has come to my mind. Am into advertising..my preferred choice of career since 12th std. Speaking of which, I feel am one of those lucky ones who are doing what they really want to do as a part of their job.

Suppose, suppose I get bored out of thisin some years and feel like moving to some other industry, where would I like to see myself and doing what?

I want to be a film maker and get into documentary film making...Basically a factual representation with self driven beliefs. So there is a concept, a script, its development, pre-production and post-production, editing ..so many things but it is different every time...yeah it allures me like anything....lemme think for a while about this..as I just had my lunch creative thoughts are bound to come!

Given my background, where i do mostly corporate ad films which are" mostly" commercial and a "few" based on social themes.. hence, it will be a good area to explore!

Freelance film making is lucrative monetarily and also one gets a medium to showcase certain things in a particular way. A well made 10 mts, 30 mts or a 1 hour documentary when reaches appropriate audiences can make a difference.

I want to cover so many aspects. They are endless. Culture in rural areas in India, food habits, dialects, taboos, new wave cinema, fashion, people....capturing the essence of society.

There are different styles in documentaries. And so much to learn...camera handling, angles, light and sound techniques..all needs proper training. Its challenging, innovative and a piece of art.

Just hope that i make sensible use of my time in future:)

p.s. am turning into more of a self-conservationist and self obsessed blogger... whatever that means!

Oct 16, 2009

Just had my lunch. Tomorrow is Diwali, an off this weekend and coming days am on a vacation. Sounds good...no office ..no trin trin..no maddening voice of my clients...am happy :)

But there is another reason to be happy today. I got a compliment from our senior copywriter..."u r doing better than ur boss" wow that means something!

Finally, my friend Jazz got the ticket..he is going to his home town..poor guy otherwise he would have spent Diwali in Delhi..Though Delhi is all decked up in festivals..people are getting very innovative these days...

I just do not like noisy crackers and patakhas..am more phuljhadi types..they don't make noise and yet glitter :)

I have been thinking about something..there is wish that i really really want to come true...and I know that when we want something that desperately it happens... I do not care for the consequences but I want this to happen anyhow....This is making me cranky....please God..listen to me one more time!

And now I can see a pattern here..strange but true! Lately, I write blog posts only when I m sad or introspecting about something....coz when I am happy am doing something else..whatever!

Well, I feel this excess baggage is lifted now...back to work.........

Jul 12, 2009

Last night I slept a little late. I was reading The memoirs of a geisha. I have already seen the movie. But I feel that a book version is alsways better than its on screen display. It is a good read.

Well, Sunday began with getting up late, which later resulted in late breakfast, late lunch! Yeah, on Sunday, I love to eat with all my heart :)

And there was an interesting article in Times Life on the meloncholy lives of celebrities, their glam n dark shaded personas and the whole hysteria following them when they are no longer alive. Hmmmm it's sad and it will always be like that! Still after many days have passed, it seems unbelievable that MJ is no more.

Well, I watched the new ad of Moratello watch featuring Neil Mukesh & Priety Zinta. He looks goooood but Priety was a wrong choice to suit him in the ad.

Anyway, it's sad to see the mishap about the Delhi Metro under construction pull that collapsed today :(

Well, am not in a mood to sleep..though i want to make the most of Sunday...so will go back..... and get some sleep

I wonder how quickly this monday comes! Yeah and the whole week takes this devil face and screams heee...deadlines deadlines from tom :)

Well well well..there is another reason for me to be happy! Waiting for 25th of July!

Jun 29, 2009

Why do we succumb to small things? Ok ..even after acting in impulse, when we try to rectify them....it never works! I mean it does in some cases but still..why do w eact in impulse?The mind works so fast that at times I am puzzled and think ..I did this! wow..This post is comin after a month's time....and as usual..things have happened at rapid pace in personal & professional life.Life often fluctuates like a pendulum and we keep on oscillating to and fro. Ohhh Gosh what a depressing mood i am getting into..anyway..will see this later..off for meeeting !

May 7, 2009

Many things happening at random...... Its IPL 2..and Deccan Chargers have appeared with a bang...and poor KKR & MI are going deep down... :(

Elections have taken the news channels in a frenzy! I casted my vote...yes...and had to rush to my office as we didn't get a leave unlike my other branch offices.....Lets see..from Ahmedabad seat, its Advani vs Mallika....and its definitely gonna be Mr. Advani here.

Its quite a scene to see politicians suddenly coming out in the crowds

Well...reading In spite of the Gods these days...which is good for references!!!

Getting no time for myself since many days, which is OK coz the workoholic soul in me doesnot allow to carry forward the work for the next day:)

Boss gone out on vacation...and suddenly I am feeling more responsible and devoted to my work. more so, because the new interns have joined so delegation of work, and making them explain the tasks is very rough.....This is strange...i want my boss to come back soooooon:)

But yes, for me its a learning step..a chance to see how well i perform in the zones i have not ventured before and wothout my boss's support..

Anyway, time to go back to work and check score of the match...if it has stated!

Apr 17, 2009

I have been traveling a lot lately. Monday started with boom and ended with a bang!Although its all coz of work but yes, Delhi draws me a lot and it has always been like this. I am so much attached to Delhi. I have lived in so many places...now when someone asks me where are you from, I get puzzled. Though I say Ahmd coz thats where I am but it doesnot make much sense ....zzzz..whateverAllahabad, Kolkata, Guwahati, New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad....they all a part of me.Every place has got a story to tell....Allahabadwhere I still remember going to school on the rickshaws which were so cute..those where in 3 sat on this side and three on the other. ..and I still remember how we used to fight for our seat as if our name was written somewhere.....the rickshaw-walla rode it ..we teased him with all names like motu..dunkyyy..how stuppid we were ...singing songs, cracking jokes and making faces :) My favourite teacher is in Allahabad. I want to meet her...It has been many years now. I so much want to visit the city once again....i rememeber one particular street which is known as Zero Road in Allahabad...Enter Ahmedabad...sense of losing best friend...are u reading this cookie? if yes, i expect a call / post from u..lets fight on this one..what say? :)mixed feelings on making new friends, new school, new uniform.....gosh i dreaded it for 2 yrs....but yes it was not all that bad... something happened to make it wonderful.....so am happy.Cut to Kolkata...dad's transfer..and me...whoa..city of joy this time! But could not be here for long...that's the sad part! I remember that sugar n spice store near my home..munched many things there and that particular smell..uumm..can't forget it. How often I and mom went to this humongous new market..very much like the Palika Bazar of Delhi... and Park Street... ride around Maidan...Swabhumi....the famous Durga Puja..the lights...the funThere was only 1 Maharashtrian family that we knew but it was a great company. And I gave my entrance exam..got busy with books and landed in Delhi Delhi 10/10....amazing time of my life. Always had this desire to move out and see the world. Getting out of the shell, is very much important in some stage of life....2 yrs in Delhi made me independent, learnt the value of money, made me understand many things about myself and people.New friend circle...some getting close some falling apart...Assignments and projects, presentations and industry visits, movies at PVR and momos anytime! Discos and bookstores...Old Delhi to CP, shopping at Janpath ...I enjoyed them all! Hmm still remember how I and my roomie went to this Art Gallery at India Habitat Centre and looked at these abstract paintings..making out new meanings outta them...just kidding no offence to artists..but somehow I can't make out this modern art...to me art is what touches and makes me think! Guwahati....leisure days....In between Dad's transfer again..now North East. Frequent visits during vacations. I picked up a little Assamese from Jamuna our maid. Mighty boat ride on Brahmaputra and Bihu festival were awesome!Mumbai episode started last year...I liked working there as it was so new and so fresh and I liked this change of place. But I did not like my work. I liked it cause it paid but apart from that it was so not interesting. I had to do it beacause I had no choice. Commuting, changing tracks on locals..phew!!!But Nikita my lovely colleague was so helpful. Yeah she doesnot like me saying thanks..:) but shez a gemAs a child I was fascinated by Mumbai, no charmed is the word... but the dream got over in some days. But overall, it was fine.Re-enter Ahmedabad...this is called Destiny Inc. I love my new job cause this is everything I wanted to do, and this is the field where I want to grow further. And it is more special as am with my parents again:) This is how we get attached to places, people change but the cities remain the same. Thank God for making this journey so wonderful....and keep on adding new places in my life:)

Apr 9, 2009

Found out that there is happiness all aound, cribbing n whining sucks! (observed this before, accepted today)no more of that from now....and am sticking with this...its hard not to crib but I am good at trying & getting!:):):)and yes, I know that I take pride in whatever I do.....my faith just got reaffirmed!

Apr 7, 2009

a beautiful piece from fiction "You have to take risks, he said. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen. Every day, God gives us the sun—and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy. Every day, we try to pretend that we haven't perceived that moment, that it doesn't exist—that today is the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. But if people really pay attention to their everyday lives, they will discover that magic moment.It may arrive in the instant when we are doing something mundane, like putting our front-door key in the lock; it may lie hidden in the quiet that follows the lunch hour or in the thousand and one things that all seem the same to us. But that moment exists—a moment when all the power of the stars becomes a part of us and enables us to perform miracles.

Joy is sometimes a blessing, but it is often a conquest. Our magic moment helps us to change and sends us off in search of our dreams. Yes, we are going to suffer, we will have difficult times, and we will experience many disappointments—but all of this is transitory; it leaves no permanent mark. And one day we will look back with pride andfaith at the journey we have taken.But when that person looks back—and at some point everyone looks back—she will hear her heart saying, "What have you done with the miracles that God planted in your days? What have you done with the talents God bestowed on you? You buried yourself in a cave because you were fearful of losing those talents. So this is your heritage: the certainty that you wasted your life”. Pitiful are the people who must realize this. Because when they are finally able to believe in miracles, their life's magic moments will have already passed them by."

Apr 1, 2009

and today is 1st April -fool's day..what a day to write this month's first post.these days r really kewl... i mean we have all sorts of days celebrated all over the world for some reason or other & they become part of our lives..as for this april fool's day, i remember we as kids used to do so play many pranks with friends and family and it was soooo funn teasing on this particular day!

and then there are some"special"days practiced in colleges these days..like

rose day..where in u gift rose to some one with particualr color symbolising ur relation with that some one

chocolate day...here u give chocolates..for the heck of it!!! u can make this a regular habit and see outcomes:)

Mar 20, 2009

Mar 15, 2009

"If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything."True! Principles guide us in moving ahead towards our goals. Initially I was not sure what I want from my life. And nothing surprising, I am still not sure about it. But yeah, I know,what I don't want in my life. There is a long list of those things...aaahSuccess at work, happiness and peace are all subjective. Momentary elements. My beliefs are very strong about certain things. And I know no matter what happens I will not change them at any cost. Some of my friends find this a little odd because they say beliefs change with time. I agree with them to some extent but still cannot completely adhere with them.To me forgiveness is one of the greatest virtues on earth. More than honesty.I have seen that sometimes out of contempt we say many things to others, sometimes silently say them but it always pinches deep down and then its like...ohh forget it..its ok...!But some people are vindictive...they keep malice till the score is settled....such behaviour is detestable.World would be such a nice place if there was all goodness around...which is so not possible. I often complain about people, changing nature and oddities of life. But I am happy that I am a part of it. My flaws are there as well. A little bit of harmless manipulation, most of us indulge in that. Hypocrysiy isn't it that the same done by others I criticise and the same done by me eg..I call it mind games or something more that sounds like a jargon:( I need to change myself on these lines...hmmmmWell, do morals play an imp. part in our lives?We all have heard fables and stories from grandmas, in kindergartens which tell us do this and you will be admired, or do that and you will be happy...yeah and we grow up and do things which are not in accordance to the morals(some of the times) ....a different slice of life altogether..haa